Atletico Madrid crash out of Europa League & last 16 draw

HOLDERS Atletico Madrid crashed out of the Europa League 2-1 on aggregate despite a 1-0 away win in the second leg of their last-32 tie with Rubin Kazan at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Published: 00:00, Fri, February 22, 2013

Falcao couldn't prevent Atletico Madrid going out of the Europa League

A goal by Chelsea target Falcao in the 84th minute, firing his shot underneath the body of keeper Sergey Ryzhikov, gave the visitors hope of overturning the two-goal deficit from the first leg at the Vicente Calderon.

Yet despite playing with a man extra in the final minutes after Rubin captain Cesar Navas was sent off for an ugly challenge on Falcao, the Spanish side were unable to score again.

They had 18 attempts on goal against Kazan, but will be forced to concentrate on La Liga to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.